Governor of South Carolina 1945 - 1947.
Ransome was a son of Theophilus Darius and Ida Smoak Williams, husband of Virginia Allen.
EX-GOVERNOR R. J. WILLIAMS DIES AT 78
MYRTLE BEACH - Former S.C. Gov. Ransome Judson Williams. the state's chief executive from 1945-47, died at the Ocean View Memorial Hospital here Wednesday night after several years of failing health. He was 78.
Williams was elected lieutenant governor in 1942, defeating the late Sen. George K. Laney and succeeded to the governorship when Gov. Olin D. Johnston resigned on winning election to the U.S. Senate.
Williams was one of 11 candidates running for governor in the 1946 Democratic primary, but failed to make the runoff election which was won by Strom Thurman.
He was born in Cope, son of the late T. D. and Ida Williams. He moved to Mullins in 1909 and in 1914 earned a degree in pharmacy from the Medical College of S.C. He married the former Virginia Allen of Dillon in 1916.
He was by profession a druggist and had business interests in Mullins, Myrtle Beach and Florence.
He served as mayor in Mullins for eight years and in the state House of Representatives 1931-32.
He was a past president of the S.C. Pharmaceutical Association and a six year member of the State Board of Pharmaceutical Examiners.
He was a former manager of the Florence office of Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Co., a Mason, a member of the Junior Order American Mechanics, Rotary Club, Woodmen of the World, and Phi Delta Kappa fraternity.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Virginia Allen Williams; and two daughters, Mrs. W. D. Anderson, Jr. of Myrtle Beach and Mrs. Howell A. Wilson of Lake City.
He was active in the State Fair and was president of the fair association for many years after his term as governor. He was formerly chairman of the board of trustees of the Medical College of S.C. and a member of the board of Coker College in Hartsville.
His race against Laney for lieutenant governor was characterized by political observers at the time as one of the "wets" against the "drys," but Williams would never allow any alcoholic beverages to be served in the governor's mansion.
Williams' otherwise friendly relations with the Legislature during his time as governor took a bitter turn after the end of the 1946 General Assembly when he blasted the lawmakers in statements for not enacting a state-owned liquor store system.
He then called a special session of the Legislature in an effort to get an ABC system enacted, but in nine days the Legislature did nothing on his proposal and adjourned.
In 1964, recognizing the former governor's ill health, the General Assembly voted him a $2,400 yearly pension. This was in line with the state retirement system provisions adopted for elected office holders.
Gov. Robert E. McNair said of Williams that he was "a loyal and devoted son of South Carolina. He maintained an active interest in the activities of state government and contributed wise council on many occasions. He lived a long life of responsible citizenship.
"He was a good man, a friend to thousands, and a statesman of great honor."
Funeral plans will be announced by Bullard Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach, where Williams became a resident after leaving the governor's mansion.
Published in The State, January 1970
Ransome was a son of Theophilus Darius and Ida Smoak Williams, husband of Virginia Allen.
EX-GOVERNOR R. J. WILLIAMS DIES AT 78
MYRTLE BEACH - Former S.C. Gov. Ransome Judson Williams. the state's chief executive from 1945-47, died at the Ocean View Memorial Hospital here Wednesday night after several years of failing health. He was 78.
Williams was elected lieutenant governor in 1942, defeating the late Sen. George K. Laney and succeeded to the governorship when Gov. Olin D. Johnston resigned on winning election to the U.S. Senate.
Williams was one of 11 candidates running for governor in the 1946 Democratic primary, but failed to make the runoff election which was won by Strom Thurman.
He was born in Cope, son of the late T. D. and Ida Williams. He moved to Mullins in 1909 and in 1914 earned a degree in pharmacy from the Medical College of S.C. He married the former Virginia Allen of Dillon in 1916.
He was by profession a druggist and had business interests in Mullins, Myrtle Beach and Florence.
He served as mayor in Mullins for eight years and in the state House of Representatives 1931-32.
He was a past president of the S.C. Pharmaceutical Association and a six year member of the State Board of Pharmaceutical Examiners.
He was a former manager of the Florence office of Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Co., a Mason, a member of the Junior Order American Mechanics, Rotary Club, Woodmen of the World, and Phi Delta Kappa fraternity.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Virginia Allen Williams; and two daughters, Mrs. W. D. Anderson, Jr. of Myrtle Beach and Mrs. Howell A. Wilson of Lake City.
He was active in the State Fair and was president of the fair association for many years after his term as governor. He was formerly chairman of the board of trustees of the Medical College of S.C. and a member of the board of Coker College in Hartsville.
His race against Laney for lieutenant governor was characterized by political observers at the time as one of the "wets" against the "drys," but Williams would never allow any alcoholic beverages to be served in the governor's mansion.
Williams' otherwise friendly relations with the Legislature during his time as governor took a bitter turn after the end of the 1946 General Assembly when he blasted the lawmakers in statements for not enacting a state-owned liquor store system.
He then called a special session of the Legislature in an effort to get an ABC system enacted, but in nine days the Legislature did nothing on his proposal and adjourned.
In 1964, recognizing the former governor's ill health, the General Assembly voted him a $2,400 yearly pension. This was in line with the state retirement system provisions adopted for elected office holders.
Gov. Robert E. McNair said of Williams that he was "a loyal and devoted son of South Carolina. He maintained an active interest in the activities of state government and contributed wise council on many occasions. He lived a long life of responsible citizenship.
"He was a good man, a friend to thousands, and a statesman of great honor."
Funeral plans will be announced by Bullard Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach, where Williams became a resident after leaving the governor's mansion.
Published in The State, January 1970
Governor of South Carolina 1945 - 1947.
Ransome was a son of Theophilus Darius and Ida Smoak Williams, husband of Virginia Allen.
EX-GOVERNOR R. J. WILLIAMS DIES AT 78
MYRTLE BEACH - Former S.C. Gov. Ransome Judson Williams. the state's chief executive from 1945-47, died at the Ocean View Memorial Hospital here Wednesday night after several years of failing health. He was 78.
Williams was elected lieutenant governor in 1942, defeating the late Sen. George K. Laney and succeeded to the governorship when Gov. Olin D. Johnston resigned on winning election to the U.S. Senate.
Williams was one of 11 candidates running for governor in the 1946 Democratic primary, but failed to make the runoff election which was won by Strom Thurman.
He was born in Cope, son of the late T. D. and Ida Williams. He moved to Mullins in 1909 and in 1914 earned a degree in pharmacy from the Medical College of S.C. He married the former Virginia Allen of Dillon in 1916.
He was by profession a druggist and had business interests in Mullins, Myrtle Beach and Florence.
He served as mayor in Mullins for eight years and in the state House of Representatives 1931-32.
He was a past president of the S.C. Pharmaceutical Association and a six year member of the State Board of Pharmaceutical Examiners.
He was a former manager of the Florence office of Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Co., a Mason, a member of the Junior Order American Mechanics, Rotary Club, Woodmen of the World, and Phi Delta Kappa fraternity.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Virginia Allen Williams; and two daughters, Mrs. W. D. Anderson, Jr. of Myrtle Beach and Mrs. Howell A. Wilson of Lake City.
He was active in the State Fair and was president of the fair association for many years after his term as governor. He was formerly chairman of the board of trustees of the Medical College of S.C. and a member of the board of Coker College in Hartsville.
His race against Laney for lieutenant governor was characterized by political observers at the time as one of the "wets" against the "drys," but Williams would never allow any alcoholic beverages to be served in the governor's mansion.
Williams' otherwise friendly relations with the Legislature during his time as governor took a bitter turn after the end of the 1946 General Assembly when he blasted the lawmakers in statements for not enacting a state-owned liquor store system.
He then called a special session of the Legislature in an effort to get an ABC system enacted, but in nine days the Legislature did nothing on his proposal and adjourned.
In 1964, recognizing the former governor's ill health, the General Assembly voted him a $2,400 yearly pension. This was in line with the state retirement system provisions adopted for elected office holders.
Gov. Robert E. McNair said of Williams that he was "a loyal and devoted son of South Carolina. He maintained an active interest in the activities of state government and contributed wise council on many occasions. He lived a long life of responsible citizenship.
"He was a good man, a friend to thousands, and a statesman of great honor."
Funeral plans will be announced by Bullard Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach, where Williams became a resident after leaving the governor's mansion.
Published in The State, January 1970
Ransome was a son of Theophilus Darius and Ida Smoak Williams, husband of Virginia Allen.
EX-GOVERNOR R. J. WILLIAMS DIES AT 78
MYRTLE BEACH - Former S.C. Gov. Ransome Judson Williams. the state's chief executive from 1945-47, died at the Ocean View Memorial Hospital here Wednesday night after several years of failing health. He was 78.
Williams was elected lieutenant governor in 1942, defeating the late Sen. George K. Laney and succeeded to the governorship when Gov. Olin D. Johnston resigned on winning election to the U.S. Senate.
Williams was one of 11 candidates running for governor in the 1946 Democratic primary, but failed to make the runoff election which was won by Strom Thurman.
He was born in Cope, son of the late T. D. and Ida Williams. He moved to Mullins in 1909 and in 1914 earned a degree in pharmacy from the Medical College of S.C. He married the former Virginia Allen of Dillon in 1916.
He was by profession a druggist and had business interests in Mullins, Myrtle Beach and Florence.
He served as mayor in Mullins for eight years and in the state House of Representatives 1931-32.
He was a past president of the S.C. Pharmaceutical Association and a six year member of the State Board of Pharmaceutical Examiners.
He was a former manager of the Florence office of Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Co., a Mason, a member of the Junior Order American Mechanics, Rotary Club, Woodmen of the World, and Phi Delta Kappa fraternity.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Virginia Allen Williams; and two daughters, Mrs. W. D. Anderson, Jr. of Myrtle Beach and Mrs. Howell A. Wilson of Lake City.
He was active in the State Fair and was president of the fair association for many years after his term as governor. He was formerly chairman of the board of trustees of the Medical College of S.C. and a member of the board of Coker College in Hartsville.
His race against Laney for lieutenant governor was characterized by political observers at the time as one of the "wets" against the "drys," but Williams would never allow any alcoholic beverages to be served in the governor's mansion.
Williams' otherwise friendly relations with the Legislature during his time as governor took a bitter turn after the end of the 1946 General Assembly when he blasted the lawmakers in statements for not enacting a state-owned liquor store system.
He then called a special session of the Legislature in an effort to get an ABC system enacted, but in nine days the Legislature did nothing on his proposal and adjourned.
In 1964, recognizing the former governor's ill health, the General Assembly voted him a $2,400 yearly pension. This was in line with the state retirement system provisions adopted for elected office holders.
Gov. Robert E. McNair said of Williams that he was "a loyal and devoted son of South Carolina. He maintained an active interest in the activities of state government and contributed wise council on many occasions. He lived a long life of responsible citizenship.
"He was a good man, a friend to thousands, and a statesman of great honor."
Funeral plans will be announced by Bullard Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach, where Williams became a resident after leaving the governor's mansion.
Published in The State, January 1970
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